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“Hunter? What are you saying?” Her voice is so quiet and despite my best efforts, it still touches my heart. Stop it. Remember who she is… what she’s done. “I don’t…”
“Don’t tell me you don’t fucking understand.” I sigh, shaking my head. “I knew your name was familiar.”
“My name?”
“Yes. Your fucking name.”
God, this hurts. How can anything hurt this much while I’m still standing? There are tears in her eyes and I have to hand it to her, she’s putting on an excellent performance. She reaches out, but I step away from her. She’s never coming near me again.
“Don’t touch me. Don’t you dare touch me.”
“Hunter, please… you’re not making sense.”
Is she serious? “I’m not making sense? That’s rich, coming from you. Everything you’ve said to me has been a goddamn lie.”
“That’s not true. I’ve never lied to you.”
She looks terrified, but I know that’s only because she’s been caught.
“You’re lying to me now… but I guess it’s second nature to you.”
I turn away before she can say another word, and although I hear her sob, I don’t turn back. Instead, I look into the face of her father. He seems remarkably unfazed by the plight of his daughter, but that’s Ken Bevan for you.
“Get out,” I say in a more calm and monotone voice. I feel nothing for this man, so it’s easier to be detached, although I’m tempted to tell him to take his daughter with him. The problem is, I need to speak to her again first.
Ken laughs, shaking his head. “It’s a shame your dad died before I got to shake hands with him again. I’d have enjoyed seeing his face when he realized his plan had failed.” I’ve got no idea what he’s talking about, and I don’t care. He turns, glancing at Livia, before he looks back at me again. “Still, you clearly didn’t fall too far from the tree, did you?”
I want to call him back and tell him I’m nothing like my father, but he’s already striding down the hall, and to be honest, he’s the least of my problems.
I turn again, looking at Livia, who’s clutching a Kleenex and dabbing it at her cheeks.
“Come into my office.”
She glances up, frowning, and seemingly bewildered by what’s gone on in the last few minutes, but I ignore her fakery and walk into my office. This conversation is necessary, but as it’s going to be our last, we’ll hold it in private. She follows me, and I close the door, walking around her and standing behind my desk. After a moment’s pause, she takes her place opposite me, clearly still struggling with her emotions. I clench my fists, wrestling with my own feelings. I want to ask her why… how? What did I ever do to her? Did what we’ve had mean nothing? Not that it matters anymore. It’s too late. The damage is already done.
“You’re fired,” I say simply.
Her mouth drops open, and she swallows hard, blinking at me as a tear falls onto her cheek. “I—I’m sorry, Hunter… I…”
“You’re sorry? Is that all you’ve got to say? Sorry? You think that’s going to cut it? You said you wouldn’t lie to me, and I was dumb enough – blind enough – to believe you. Well… I’m not being dumb, or blind, anymore.”
“Hunter… if I’ve…”
I hold up my hand, and she stops talking. “I want you to leave… immediately.”
“Why are you being like this? What am I supposed to have done wrong?”
“Supposed to have done? Seriously?” I shake my head at her. “I’m not even sure you know the truth from a lie anymore.”
“Why do you keep saying I’m a liar?”
“Because you are,” I bellow, and she jumps.
“You said you couldn’t raise your voice to me,” she whispers, and I’m reminded of how it felt to want to protect her… not that she ever needed my protection.
“So? You don’t think I’m entitled?”
“No. I don’t understand, Hunter. I don’t…”
